A diplomatic and political storm has erupted after two Labour MPs were denied entry to Israel, prompting a fierce war of words between Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
The clash intensified over the weekend after Ms Badenoch criticised Mr Lammy for what she described as “cheerleading another country for detaining and deporting two British MPs”. In response, the Foreign Secretary condemned her remarks as “disgraceful”, saying it was unacceptable to defend the barring of elected British parliamentarians from visiting a key international partner.
Labour MPs Yuan Yang and Abtisam Mohamed were part of a delegation organised by the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) and Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) when they were refused entry into Israel on Saturday. The organisations involved stated they had informed the UK consul general in Jerusalem, as they have done for similar visits “for over a decade”.
The incident has raised serious questions over diplomatic access and the conduct of MPs abroad. Israel’s population authority claimed the Labour MPs were suspected of intending “to document Israeli security forces and spread hateful rhetoric against Israel”.
Both MPs said they were “astounded” by the move, emphasising that their purpose was to observe humanitarian projects and engage with communities in the West Bank. “It is vital that parliamentarians are able to witness first-hand the situation on the ground in Palestine,” they stated in a joint message.
However, Ms Badenoch took a sharply critical stance. Speaking on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she remarked: “What I think is shocking is that we have MPs in Labour who other countries will not allow through.” She added that nations had a right to control their borders and suggested MPs had no automatic right to enter another state, even as elected officials.
Further fuelling the row, Badenoch took to social media platform X, where she posted: “Perhaps Labour MPs could put UK national interest first and do their jobs instead of campaigning for airports in Kashmir or promoting Hamas propaganda in parliament?”
The comments drew swift condemnation from across the political spectrum. Dame Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, described Badenoch’s remarks as “nonsense”, noting that MPs on official visits are entitled to travel freely to gain insight and report back to Parliament.
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Richard Fuller echoed those concerns, telling Times Radio: “Any MP who goes on an official trip should be welcomed in any country. They’re going there to be better informed about the situation and then report back to their parliamentary colleagues.”
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David Lammy said he had spoken with Israeli counterparts, calling the decision to block the MPs “unacceptable, counterproductive and deeply concerning”. He stressed the importance of elected officials being able to engage directly with regions experiencing humanitarian or geopolitical challenges.
Labour Friends of Israel also raised concerns, stating, “Over the years we’ve taken hundreds of MPs to Israel and Palestine. It’s vital that parliamentarians are able to visit and understand the situation on the ground. This is a principle we’d hope all political parties would support.”
The diplomatic tension comes at a delicate moment, as the UK government seeks to maintain constructive relationships with Israel while also addressing human rights concerns in the occupied territories. The incident has reignited debate about MPs’ freedom to travel for official duties, especially to politically sensitive regions.
As both parties dig in their heels, the clash underscores the fragile balance between international diplomacy, national interest, and the rights of elected representatives to scrutinise global affairs without obstruction.
